All it takes is a moment's inattention, a moment's fatigue, a jostle and your bag is stolen! When you're traveling abroad, panic can quickly set in. Without a passport, an identity card, a visa or even a telephone, you find yourself at a loss. So it's important to stay calm and react.
The Visamundi teams can help you find solutions!
What to do if your visa, passport or identity card is stolen while you're travelling?
The first thing to do when you discover that a travel document has been stolen is to contact your embassy and consulate. These institutions will tell you what to do. Most of the time, a emergency number is available to travelers on the website.
Second essential step: contact your local police authority. The receipt of the theft report will be essential for you to continue with the formalities. It will enable you to obtain a laissez-passer or a emergency passport at your embassy or consulate. The laissez-passer is usually issued within 24 hours, and allows you to re-enter your country for an average of 30 days. Please note that emergency passports are not systematically issued.. Depending on your country of residence, the reason for issuing this type of document may vary. Also, some embassies provide a laissez-passer, but only issue an emergency passport for medical, humanitarian or professional reasons.
If you are a European citizen and you are unable to find your country's representative institution, you can contact another European embassy.
Remember to be as precise as possible in your statement to the police. If you've lost other personal belongings, you'll be able to file a claim.
Please note that if your passport is found after you have reported it stolen, do not travel with. Interpol recommends returning it to the embassy, at the risk of arousing the suspicions of the border police.
The French Embassy in China has produced a concrete infographic on the subject:
What to do about phone theft while travelling
When you lose your phone, you can feel just as helpless as if it were your passport! Many smartphones now come with an integrated location system. However, it's best not to run after the thief - your safety comes first. If you manage to locate your phone, always call the police and do not act yourself.
Start by contacting your operator to notify them and suspend the line. If you can, log in to your various accounts to change your passwords. Remember to change the codes for your mailbox, banking application and social networks.
As with any travel document, it is essential that you contact the local police in order to report theft a telephone. You can then report the loss to your insurance company. This insurance can be the phone's, your bank card's or your operator's.
If the police find your phone, the line can be reactivated, unless the device has already been blocked.
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